Washington (AFP) – A mild manner and a fondness for fatty treats like fish or meat scraps may have helped cats evolve into the tame yet independent-minded pets they are today, researchers said Monday.

After that, it was people’s preference for cats with certain appearances, like white paws, that played a key role in winnowing down the 38 species known today, said a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“Using advanced genome sequencing technology, we were able to shed light on the genetic signatures of cats’ unique biology and survival skills,” said Wes Warren, associate professor of genetics at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Domestic cats “only recently split off from wild cats, and some even still breed with their wild relatives. So we were surprised to find DNA evidence of their domestication,” he added.

By comparing domestic cat genes to other cat breeds, as well as wildcats and other mammals, certain differences stood out.

For instance, tigers and domestic cats each have the uncanny physical ability to eat lots of fatty acids without the resulting heart disease and cholesterol that such a diet would have on humans.

Genetic selection for appearance was also evident, particularly in recent generations.

“Unlike many other domesticated mammals bred for food, herding, hunting or security, most of the 30–40 cat breeds originated recently, within the past 150 years, largely due to selection for aesthetic rather than functional traits,” said the study.

For instance, the Birman cat breed likely developed its characteristic white paws because humans chose to breed cats that looked the same.

In the random population of cats, the genes that lead to the gloving pattern are only seen in about 10 percent of felines.

– Rodent killers –

About 600 million cats exist on Earth. The earliest archeological evidence of cats living with people dates back 9,500 years to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Archeological evidence of cats as pets has also been found 5,000 years ago in central China.

Cats are believed to have worked their way into humans’ everyday lives during agricultural periods in history, when their work as killers of rodents and vermin would have been prized.

“Most cats were likely bred for rodent control, and only later for pigmentation,” said study co-author Michael Montague, in an email to AFP.

“In a sense, tameness would need to be one of the initial behavioral differences between wildcats and domestic cats and perhaps the ultimate driver of domestication.”

Pet ownership may not be for everyone, but it’s becoming more
prominent than you might have first thought.

According to the American Pet Products Association, or APPA,
pet ownership by household in the U.S. has risen from just 56% in
1988 when the first APPA National Pet Owners Survey was
conducted, to 68% as of 2013-2014, or 82.5 million American
homes. Of that grouping, an estimated 56.7 million homes now own
a dog, 45.3 million own a cat, and more than 16 million own some
form of fish, be it saltwater or freshwater.

Beyond just ownership, however, we’ve seen a genuine
transformation over the years of pets transcending a boundary of
being a companion to actually becoming a part of a household’s
family.

. This was up three percentage points from the 88% registered in
2007. Additionally, pet owners fessed up to considerable perks
for their pets, including two-thirds of respondents allowing
their pets to sleep in bed with them frequently or occasionally,
61% who admitted to buying their pet a holiday present, and
roughly one-quarter of respondents that noted cooking food
specifically for their pet.

Source: Author with Angel.

For the love of a pet

I bring these statistics to light because this past week I did
one of the hardest things a pet owner can ever do: I put my
15-year old domestic short-hair cat, Angel, to sleep after her
battle with chronic kidney disease. To be brief, Angel had a
number of issues, including a heart murmur and anemia, which made
dialysis out of the question. Furthermore, chronic kidney disease
is a progressive and terminal disease. In other words there was
no winning from the get-go.

Yet, I still made countless trips to my local vet’s office,
bought every pharmaceutical product imaginable to control her
disease, and devoted hours daily to ensuring she had the best
quality of life possible with whatever time she had remaining,
which turned out to be six months.

Tallying up what I spent on Angel would make some people gasp
and perhaps call me insane. To some extent, they’re probably
right. But, the connection and love I had for my cat made cost an
unimportant factor in the equation. The only thing that mattered
to me was keeping a close member of my family feeling well — and
I’m willing to bet I’m not alone in feeling this way.

APPA statistics show that (at least based on the questions
posed to pet owners) dogs and cats cost households an average of
$1,649 and $1,271, respectively, per year. For dogs this includes
an average annual expense of $621 for surgical vet visits, $239
for food, $231 for routine vet visits, and $327 for kennel
boarding. Felines cost their owners an average of $382 per year
for surgical visits, $203 for food, $193 for routine vet visits,
and $337 for kennel boarding.

Graph by author, in billions of U.S. dollars. Source: American
Pet Products Association.

Overall pet industry expenditures are expected to total $58.5
billion this year, up more than 200% from the $17 billion in
total expenditures 20 years ago. In 2013, this included $15.25
billion in veterinary care, $13.72 billion in supplies and
over-the-counter medicine, and a whopping $22.6 billion in
food.

In other words, if you’re looking for a long-term investment
opportunity in an industry with obvious potential, consider
investing in America’sgrowing commitment

to their four-legged, feathered, or gilled family members.

Invest in love for the long term

There are a number of ways investors can benefit from the growing
bond between households and their pets.

Source: PetSmart.

The clear opportunity is with companies that provide direct
servicing or goods for your pet. Think of a company likePetSmart

, which provides an array of pet products all under one roof, as
well as allows pet owners to shop online at their own
convenience. The same could be said forPetMed Express

, an online provider of vitamins, food, and other pharmaceutical
products, which allows consumers the luxury of never having to
leave their home. Not surprisingly, full-year sales for PetSmart
and PetMed Express have jumped 106% and 116%, respectively, over
the past decade.

But, there’s more to the industry than just retail service
locations. Veterinary offices, pharmaceutical companies, and even
insurers are finding plenty of success in growing their business,
as well as improving pets’ quality of life, which, in turn, makes
their owners quite happy.

Consider a company likeVCA

, which offers animal hospital and laboratory services for
companion animals. In short, VCA can handle surgical procedures
of all forms and diagnostic services, while also prescribing
foods, medicines, and even providing boarding services. Let me
tell you from firsthand experience that veterinary offices often
have beefy margins. Just like in a hospital for humans, some
cases are handled on a compassion basis, so veterinary offices
ensure their margins are healthy enough to stay profitable and
ensure high-quality care of their pet patients in instances where
care is given and an owner can’t pay.

as opposed to companion animals. Still, as the world’s largest
pharmaceutical products provider for animals based on annual
revenue, Zoetis’ prospects for growth are phenomenal, especially
with consumers like myself willing to go to the ends of the Earth
to ensure the health of their pet.

Lastly, a largely under-the-radar industry investors may want
to take note of is pet insurance. Most owners, like myself, don’t
have insurance on their pet and pay high out-of-pocket costs for
their pets. It’s possible as more animals make the move into
being “part of the family” that the pet insurance industry could
explode in popularity.

Based on data from research group Embrace as of the end of
2012, just 10 companies were underwriting pet health insurance
policies in the U.S. Of those, Veterinary Pet Insurance held
about half of all U.S. market share (VPI is owned by privately
held Nationwide Insurance), The Hartville Group held about 10%
market share, and PetPlan USA clung to 9% market share and is a
subsidiary ofAllianz

. While Allianz could certainly see benefits from an increase in
pet policies, investors should understand it’s a negligible
component of its revenue generation at the moment.

Long story short, man’s best friend could offer your portfolio
plenty of potential if you play your cards right. This is one
instance where following pet owners’ spending habits could truly
pay future dividends and “return the bone” back to the owners
over the long run.

Here’s another smart move investors are making, which
is likely to have your pets paw of approval!

simply crush their non-dividend paying counterparts over the
long term. That’s beyond dispute. They also know that a
well-constructed dividend portfolio creates wealth steadily,
while still allowing you to sleep like a baby. Knowing how
valuable such a portfolio might be, our top analysts put
together a ;report on a group of high-yielding
stocks ;that should be in any income investor’s portfolio.
To see ourfree

;has no material interest in any companies mentioned
in this article. He dedicates this article to his passed but
never to be forgotten family member, Angel. You can follow him
on CAPS under the screen name

SINGAPORE: The Animals and Birds (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 5), more than two years after a committee was set up to look into strengthening legislation on animal welfare.

The National Development Ministry said the recommendations aim to strike a balance between enhancing animal welfare and addressing the community’s concerns.

Said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee: “The law is just an enabler to set boundaries and strengthen powers. What is more important is for everyone to play his or her role. What we need is to cultivate a shared ethos of animal welfare, a sense of realism on the trade-offs involved, and a willingness to compromise and collaborate with one another despite our diverse perspectives.”

While speaking in support of the Bill, several Members of Parliament (MPs) also raised various concerns ranging from pre-screenings of pet owners to granting dog licences.

Pre-sale screenings for pet owners should be conducted by a neutral party such the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) or an animal welfare group – rather than pet sellers who have vested interests in ensuring successful transactions, said MP for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng.

Pre-sale screenings began in January this year, and the process includes questions about the potential buyers’ pet ownership history and whether he or she has the time and resources to care for the new pet.

“This pre-sale screening is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Mr Baey. “Potential owners are prompted to think more deeply and carefully before buying and this would help to reduce impulse buying or adoption.”

But the screenings could be made more stringent, he said. “Getting pet owner certifications from independent third parties sounds inconvenient. However, compared to putting down thousands of animals every year, especially highly-cognisant ones such as dogs and cats, additional red tape is definitely the lesser evil.”

He also argued for stricter limits on the number of pets sold and the number of places that sell pets, as well more stringent requirements to ensure the health of animals being bred or imported for sale.

“Sellers should be required to be more transparent about the lineage of their animals and be required to offer animals suited to our warm and humid tropical climate and dense, built-up environment,” he said. “In recent years, there have been a number of mass adoption exercises due to pet farms closing down or not being able to sell their ‘excess stock’. There have also been cases of poor breeding practices leading to genetic health problems.”

He noted: “Many animals which cannot find homes or which suffer from health problems have to be put down. Such tragic outcomes could have been prevented if we have more stringent measures in place upstream.”

PETS AND PROPERTY SIZE

Also speaking on the Bill was MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Gan Thiam Poh, who suggested that the size of a pet-owner’s house and the number of people living there are factors that should be taken into consideration by authorities when granting dog licences. Current regulations are based on whether the pet-owner lives in an HDB flat or on private property.

Mr Gan, who is also a member of the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee, pointed out that regulations now stipulate that those living in an HDB flat can only have one dog of an approved breed, while those who live in a private property can have three dogs.

However, he said that a couple “can live quite comfortably with a chihuahua and a toy poodle in a four-room flat”, while some private property units allowed to house three dogs can be smaller than certain HDB flats.

Mr Gan also asked for updates on a pilot project to assess the feasibility of keeping cats in HDB flats and more stringent measures to compel owners of noisy dogs to get their pets trained.

He also said those interested in keeping cats feel that the animals “can be confined without problems by fencing their windows and doors with netting”, and “can also be toilet-trained and their caterwauling can be prevented by sterilisation”.

TACKLING PET ABANDONMENT

MP for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling spoke about the issue of pet abandonment and how current practices make it difficult to apprehend the culprit.

“Abandonment is currently recognised as an offence only if the owner confesses – which I am highly doubtful of because whoever is guilty, I do not think the person will confess,” she said. “Or if the act of abandoning the pet was caught on camera – which is challenging as well – because the guilty owner will usually do so very discreetly. And even if not so discreetly, who among the unsuspecting passers-by will stand by with a camera and is prescient enough to have a camera ready and film the act of abandonment?”

Ms Tin also said that currently, there is no obligation for the owner who wishes to give his pet away to ensure that the next owner registers himself with the AVA. She suggested that pet owners must ensure that the next owner is registered within a stipulated time-frame.

BREA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Last year, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance, received more than 63,000 claims for cancer diagnosis and treatment in pets, making cancer-related conditions one of the most common types of medical claims. In fact, last year, VPI policyholders accumulated more than $20 million in medical expenses for the top 10 cancer-related conditions. In a continuing effort to educate pet owners about the prevalence, detection and treatment of pet cancer, VPI recognizes November as National Pet Cancer Awareness Month.

During the month of November, VPI, a Nationwide company, will donate $5 to the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), up to $10,000, for every photo, story or statistic shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #CurePetCancer. For more information, visit www.curepetcancer.com. To date, VPI has raised nearly $200,000 to benefit the ACF.

VPI launched National Pet Cancer Awareness Month in 2005, calling attention to the number one disease-related killer of dogs and cats. Listed below are the 10 most common cancer-related claims received by VPI in 2013:

Cancerous Conditions

Lymphosarcoma or Lymphoma

Skin Cancer (Malignant Skin Neoplasia)

Splenic (Spleen) Cancer

Bone or Joint Cancer

Hepatic (Liver) Cancer

Thoracic (Chest) Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Anal gland (Sac) Cancer

Oral Cancer or Malignant Oral Neoplasia

Brain or Spinal Cord Cancer

Treatment for these conditions can carry a heavy financial burden for pet owners. Oral cancer or malignant oral neoplasia is the most expensive condition on the list, costing policyholders an average of $2,218 per pet. To ensure VPI policyholders receive optimal cancer treatment, VPI’s medical policies include benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous conditions, such as chemotherapy, radiation and metastasis screening.

“Cancer continues to be a prevalent danger for pets. We received 8,000 more cancer-related claims in 2013 compared to 2012, marking a 12% increase,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, Vice President and Chief Veterinary Medical Officer for VPI. “However, with advances in the treatment of pet cancer, there are an increasing number of options. Pet owners can fight back by detecting any changes in their pet at home and learning about financial options for cancer-related medical expenses.”

Pet Cancer Detection Tips To detect cancer early, pet owners should be attentive to any growing lumps or sores on their pet that fail to heal. They should also monitor their pet for: 1) drastic changes in the pet’s appetite or weight; 2) unusually strong odors coming from a pet; 3) discharge or bleeding from any body opening; 4) difficulty chewing or swallowing; or 5) an unwillingness to exercise.

Further detection tips and information on National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, as well as registration information for the Long Beach VPI K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk, can be found by visiting www.petinsurance.com/cancer. For more information on the Animal Cancer Foundation, please go to www.acfoundation.org.

About Veterinary Pet InsuranceWith more than 500,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency (VPI) is a member of the Nationwide family of companies and is the first and largest pet health insurance company in the United States. Since 1982, VPI has helped provide pet owners with peace of mind and is committed to being the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers.

VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Wellness coverage and routine care is available for an additional premium. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, one in three Fortune 500 companies offers VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2012); National Casualty Company (all other states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2012). Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.

About Animal Cancer FoundationAnimal Cancer Foundation (ACF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for cancer by funding research in and increasing public awareness of comparative oncology, the study of naturally occurring cancers in pets and people. ACF provides research grants to medical and veterinary oncology professionals studying comparative oncology models. ACF does not fund studies that would induce cancer in pets. Clinical trials are offered to pet owners in their local oncology practices. ACF serves as a preeminent resource in educating the public and scientific communities to the value of the comparative oncology model not only to discover valuable new ways to treat cancer in pets, but that these advances may lead to more effective, less toxic therapies for people.

LOS ANGELES – Man’s best friend is taking a bite out of renters’ wallets.

Pet security deposits register in the hundreds of dollars and are getting steeper. Now, a monthly rental payment ranging from $10 to $50 is quickly becoming the norm, adding to the cost. Apartment managers nationwide say they require some safety net against pet damage, while others won’t allow animals at all.

The rents and deposits pay for dog-poop picker-uppers, cleaning services and more, but some managers say they charge because they can. Many residents decry the move, arguing they are being bilked to keep their cats and canines.

“One out of 50 people will say, ‘I can’t believe you charge pet rent,’ but most accept it,” said Stacy Leighty, who manages over 400 properties in Salem, Oregon, and added the monthly fee after her financial adviser said it would boost revenue and is becoming more widespread.

With a third of the country’s population — 103 million people — living in apartments, according to the Arlington, Virginia-based National Apartment Association, loads of pet owners are facing extra costs. That’s something Fred Lopez, of the small Los Angeles suburb of Hawaiian Gardens, isn’t happy about.

“They are exploiting the fact that more and more people have pets,” he said. “First they ask for a deposit, then rent. How much more are they going to try and squeeze out of us?”

Lopez, his girlfriend and their Pomeranian recently moved from an apartment where the manager charged $50 a month in pet rent. Lopez, 38, called the cost “ludicrous and another way to gouge people for money.”

Two years ago, pet rents weren’t even on the radar, said Tammy Kotula, a spokeswoman for Apartments.com, the Chicago-based online listing subscription service that tracks owners and renters.

This year, 78 percent of renters who worked with the company and voluntarily filled out questionnaires said they paid a pet deposit, Kotula said. Of those, 29 percent also paid monthly pet rent. That’s up from 63 percent who paid pet deposits last year — 20 percent of whom also reported paying rent for their animal.

The Associated Press spoke to apartment managers in several states about how they handle pet payments:

OREGON

In Leighty’s buildings in Oregon’s capital of Salem, dogs cost $20 a month and require a $500 dog deposit, while cats cost $10 monthly and need a $400 deposit.

Her 400 properties started taking dogs last year. Though she was advised to charge pet rents to bring in more money, the additional pet deposit is used to cover damage caused by animals.

“We are a higher-end luxury complex, and we want people to feel at home here, and having a pet is a large part of making people feel at home,” Leighty said.

NEW YORK CITY

Mitchell Gelberg, managing director of Rose Associates, said pet policies in the 25,000 units he handles in New York City vary by property.

They have restrictions on dog size and ban aggressive breeds but do not charge pet rents, Gelberg said.

Most leases require dogs be leashed at all times, and some make pets use service elevators.

MINNESOTA

Sarah Fuller, a property manager in Maple Grove, Minnesota, oversees 600 units in 17 buildings, but just two complexes allow pets — one of which has an on-site spa. Renters pay $40 per dog per month and deposits between $400 and $600.

Pet owners must leash and pick up after their pooches, which are restricted on size and breed.

FLORIDA

Bonnie Smetzer, executive vice president and Melbourne, Florida-based partner of JMG Realty Inc., manages 10,000 apartments in 35 communities, some of which do not allow pets.

In those that do, pet rents range from $10 to $20 and help pay for expenses related to the animals, Smetzer said.

She pointed to pet walkways, parks, waste bags and the cost to hire workers to pick up after animals and spray for fleas.

“We try to balance people who love pets with the people who don’t,” Smetzer said.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Man’s best friend is taking a bite out of renters’ wallets.

Pet security deposits register in the hundreds of dollars and are getting steeper. Now, a monthly rental payment ranging from $10 to $50 is quickly becoming the norm, adding to the cost. Apartment managers nationwide say they require some safety net against pet damage, while others won’t allow animals at all.

The rents and deposits pay for dog-poop picker-uppers, cleaning services and more, but some managers say they charge because they can. Many residents decry the move, arguing they are being bilked to keep their cats and canines.

“One out of 50 people will say, ‘I can’t believe you charge pet rent,’ but most accept it,” said Stacy Leighty, who manages over 400 properties in Salem, Oregon, and added the monthly fee after her financial adviser said it would boost revenue and is becoming more widespread.

With a third of the country’s population — 103 million people — living in apartments, according to the Arlington, Virginia-based National Apartment Association, loads of pet owners are facing extra costs. That’s something Fred Lopez, of the small Los Angeles suburb of Hawaiian Gardens, isn’t happy about.

“They are exploiting the fact that more and more people have pets,” he said. “First they ask for a deposit, then rent. How much more are they going to try and squeeze out of us?”

Lopez, his girlfriend and their Pomeranian recently moved from an apartment where the manager charged $50 a month in pet rent. Lopez, 38, called the cost “ludicrous and another way to gouge people for money.”

Two years ago, pet rents weren’t even on the radar, said Tammy Kotula, a spokeswoman for Apartments.com, the Chicago-based online listing subscription service that tracks owners and renters.

This year, 78 percent of renters who worked with the company and voluntarily filled out questionnaires said they paid a pet deposit, Kotula said. Of those, 29 percent also paid monthly pet rent. That’s up from 63 percent who paid pet deposits last year — 20 percent of whom also reported paying rent for their animal.

The Associated Press spoke to apartment managers in several states about how they handle pet payments:

OREGON

In Leighty’s buildings in Oregon’s capital of Salem, dogs cost $20 a month and require a $500 dog deposit, while cats cost $10 monthly and need a $400 deposit.

Her 400 properties started taking dogs last year. Though she was advised to charge pet rents to bring in more money, the additional pet deposit is used to cover damage caused by animals.

“We are a higher-end luxury complex, and we want people to feel at home here, and having a pet is a large part of making people feel at home,” Leighty said.

NEW YORK CITY

Mitchell Gelberg, managing director of Rose Associates, said pet policies in the 25,000 units he handles in New York City vary by property.

They have restrictions on dog size and ban aggressive breeds but do not charge pet rents, Gelberg said.

Most leases require dogs be leashed at all times, and some make pets use service elevators.

MINNESOTA

Sarah Fuller, a property manager in Maple Grove, Minnesota, oversees 600 units in 17 buildings, but just two complexes allow pets — one of which has an on-site spa. Renters pay $40 per dog per month and deposits between $400 and $600.

Pet owners must leash and pick up after their pooches, which are restricted on size and breed.

FLORIDA

Bonnie Smetzer, executive vice president and Melbourne, Florida-based partner of JMG Realty Inc., manages 10,000 apartments in 35 communities, some of which do not allow pets.

In those that do, pet rents range from $10 to $20 and help pay for expenses related to the animals, Smetzer said.

She pointed to pet walkways, parks, waste bags and the cost to hire workers to pick up after animals and spray for fleas.

“We try to balance people who love pets with the people who don’t,” Smetzer said.

Feral cats, unlike strays, have been born and raised in the wild or have been abandoned and must revert back to their primitive ways in order to survive. Most of these cats, fearful of humans and too skittish to be handled, often live in groups and take refuge wherever there is available food and shelter. Because of this, they are unfortunately subject to harsh weather conditions, starvation, or diseases and sometimes even eradicated by humans in attempts to deplete the feral cat population. In honor of National Feral Cat day on October 16, here is what you can do to help these undomesticated cats.

You will be able to tell if you have come in contact with a feral cat rather than a stray by their standoffish and notably quiet demeanor. They will most likely keep their distance from you and scamper off when approached. However, this shouldn’t deter you from trying to help.

Feral cats have a great chance of survival if they live in a group, or colony, maintained by a dedicated caretaker. This means providing regular feeding and proper shelter, as well as spay/neuter services. A popular and effective way to do this is the Trap-Neuter-Return method, or TNR.

This humane method, helping to stabilize, and over time, reduce the population of feral cats, traps the cats to have them spayed or neutered and vaccinated (against rabies), and then returns them to their colony.

“At the time of the spay or neuter, the veterinarian surgically removes the tip of one ear (ear-tipping) as a safe and effective means of marking cats, thus sparing them from unnecessary trappings,” said Dr. Carly Duff, veterinary resident at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

By stabilizing the population, cats will be exposed to fewer risks of disease and will live healthier lives, with more space and food to themselves.

You may call your local animal shelter for help in trapping a feral cat for TNR. When they do this, you shouldn’t feed the cats for a little over a day, as they must be hungry to enter the trap, which is usually baited with tuna, sardines, salmon, or other luxurious foods that feral cats aren’t accustomed to eating. After they have been vaccinated and spayed or neutered, they are then returned to their colony.

The Aggie Feral Cat Alliance of Texas, or AFCAT, is a program here at Texas A&M University whose main goal is to provide care and long-term management of feral cats on campus. Comprised of students, staff, and faculty from the Texas A&M campus, they also provide educational information on the costs and commitment of responsible pet ownership to help decrease the source of feral cats. If you are interested in joining or want to learn more about them, you can visit their website at http://vetmed.tamu.edu/afcat/.

Remember that although these cats are wild and often untamable, they still need your help to survive. With humane methods such as TNR and the involvement of dedicated caretakers, you can decrease their risk of disease and starvation by helping to stabilize and eventually reduce the population of feral cats.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University.

MANY animal lovers talk about the therapeutic benefits of owning a pet.

Vera Scanlon shares her Bradford home with 13 guinea pigs, three cats and a dog and says animals have helped her through the toughest times in her life.

When Vera’s caretaking career was curtailed due to her back problems, her pets gave her another focus. She says combing her guinea pigs’ hair, and walking her German Shepherd, is also beneficial to her arthritis.

The 63-year-old explains that the heat from the guinea pigs warms up her cold hands and having her dog to walk pushes her to go out.

Vera refers to the therapeutic benefits animals can bring when talking about how nursing homes often arrange for animals to visit.

She says having something to focus on and look after, other than yourself, can also help those who are living alone. Animals also provide companionship.

“I found having something to look after besides myself took me out of myself,” says Vera.

She says she was used to caring for others. She also has two grown-up daughters and grandchildren. Having her animals has given Vera additional responsibility which she relishes.

But Vera isn’t the only one lauding the benefits of animal ownership. According to a survey carried out by the National Pet Show, the number of households owning pets in the UK has increased 15 per cent since 2010.

Out of the survey’s 321 respondents, 90 per cent of which were women and 70 per cent were aged 25 to 54, 98% of pet owners say that owning a pet gives them a healthier lifestyle and reduces stress levels.

Ninety six per cent said they believed that children also benefit from a happier and healthier lifestyle when living in a household with a pet.

Vera agrees pets can be perfect for children: “It is learning about and thinking about anything other than themselves,” she says.

“I look at what the animals need; heat, food, warmth and it is companionship, especially for the elderly, and it is really helpful for them.”

Terry Singh, manager of Bradford and District RSPCA, says: “I think animals are very therapeutic in general for people. If people spend time getting to know an animal a bond is developed.”

He explains owners get to know their pet’s characteristics and develop a relationship with them and a bond which brings happiness and contentment to both the owner and the animal.

“If you imagine when people look into a fish tank – you may notice quite a few at vets’ practices – they have a calming effect on you because you relax,” explains Terry. He says pets can also be a perfect companion and can bring the happiest moments in life. “Provided you treat them well, respect them and value them then you have a friend for life,” adds Terry.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of hit Channel 4 series The Supervet, said: “I firmly believe that the essence of unconditional love shared between a pet and their guardian represents the very best of the human condition, so the results of this research do not surprise me.

“When you see the family of a pet in the presence of their animal, their entire vivacity changes, they ‘light up’.

“As a vet, I have dedicated my life to exploring all of the options available for the animals I treat.

“As well as forming wonderful relationships with the animals themselves, the relationships with the pet’s families are truly outstanding.

“Meeting people who would do everything they can to save their pets from pain or harm is the most remarkable part of the job.”

The National Pet Show, dedicated to the nation’s passion for pets and sponsored by MyPetonline, was held for the first time at NEC Birmingham over the weekend.

Rabbit show jumping, doggy dancing and 400 animals were just some of the attractions aimed at pet lovers. National Pet Show is the sister event of the London Pet Show which has entertained visitors for four years.

It’s not just baby names that have been influenced by hit television shows.

According to a new release, pet names aren’t exempt with owners taking inspiration from popular series such as Sherlock, Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad.

The analysis of data of dog and cat names by John Lewis pet insurance, which draws on more than 90,000 pet names from its database, found that monikers such as Sherlock, Arya and Walter were also making an appearance alongside more traditional feline and canine names.

30 pets named Sherlock

Possibly inspired by Benedict Cumberbatch’s character Sherlock in the eponymous BBC crime series, the detective’s name was chosen for 30 pets; 25 dogs and five cats while his friend and assistant, Dr. John Watson (played by Martin Freeman) might well have been the inspiration for another 29 pets; 27 dogs and two cats.

Daenerys Targaryen who holds the title of Khaleesi, Walter White from Breaking Bad, Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Arya Stark from Game of Thrones. Photograph: HBO/Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC/ BBCPhotograph: Guardian

John Lewis also point at 26 dogs and nine cats named Walter, suggesting that Breaking Bad’s Walter White portrayed by Bryan Cranston might have tickled pet owners’ imaginations. Game of Thrones also displays its influence with six dogs and four cats being named after Arya Stark, while another five pets were named Khaleesi (two dogs and three cats) and one cat was named Daenerys.

Poppy was named the most popular name for both cats and dogs for the fourth year running, while Alfie (for dogs) and Molly (for cats ) came in at second place.

Tigger bounces out, Misty climbs up

There appears to be a trend for naming our feline friends Misty or Cleo -these shot up 15 and nine places respectively, while our poor bouncy friend Tigger has seen a drop in popularity and is down 11 places.

Poppy (the top name for pets) was the seventh most popular baby name for girls in 2013, according to an Office for National Statistics release earlier this year.

Charlie, a popular name for both cats and dogs, was the fifth most popular baby name for boys in 2013.

Oscar, which also ranks highly in the pet names list, was the seventh most popular name for a baby boy, while George (the 20th most popular cat name) was the 10th most popular in 2013.

The top 20 pet names for cats and dogs according to John Lewis are below. Dogs account for a larger proportion of its database but confirm that this is in line with the market. According to a research by Datamonitor dogs account for somewhere between 30 and 45% of pet insurance take-up, while for cats it is between 15 and 25%.

Levine coined the term “pet-positive” to represent all brands that recognize pets as family and who develop products or services to better the lives of pets or the people who love them. The partnerships serve to educate and entertain pet parents through engaging written and video content. Current partners include Bissell, Pet Plan pet insurance, World’s Best Cat Litter, Tagg The Pet Tracker, PetBox, Dog is Good, Cat is Good, and DogTV with more to come.

The premise of Kristen Levine Pet Living, as Levine indicates throughout the new site, is to meet the need of pet parents who seek content and connection with people who love pets as much as they do, and who want to also connect with brands they can trust. Levine will reach these consumers via watchable, sharable and fun content promoted across multiple media channels to increase engagement.

“Pet-positive companies can connect with my audience in genuine ways to reach new customers, heighten visibility, build credibility and increase sales, all while making a difference in the lives of pets and their people,” Levine said.

A pet industry insider for more than 25 years, Levine understands the dynamics of pet product companies and the mindset of pet lovers and consumers.

“I created this new platform to combine my professional experience in animal welfare, putting pets and people together, and in marketing, helping pet and veterinary brands reach pet lovers,” Levine said. “I’m so energized to be in the unique position to help pets, people and pet-positive companies, all at the same time.”

To support pet-positive companies in offering unique content to this audience, Kristen Levine Pet Living offers several partnership opportunities, including:

Spokesperson and Brand Advocacy: On behalf of the partner company, Levine serves as a pet expert and spokesperson available for media interviews, public speaking, business and consumer events, blog writing for the company’s website, and product or service features on www.kristenlevine.com.

Pet Living TV Series: Levine hosts a weekly online video series, Pet Living TV, where she shares stories, science and advice to help pet parents live better lives with their pets. As a show sponsor, companies receive a branded introductory message, promotion of the episode in Levine’s Pet Living Letter email, embedded links to the episode on the company’s website and social media sites, and rights to use the video for additional promotional opportunities.

Social Media Promotion: Levine develops a product review for the Kristen Levine Pet Living blog, along with monthly promotional posts on the social media channels affiliated with Kristen Levine Pet Living, plus a custom social media contest and an opportunity to invite followers of Kristen Levine Pet Living to like the sponsor’s social media channels.

About Kristen Levine Pet LivingPet expert, speaker, author and advocate Kristen Levine founded Kristen Levine Pet Living to connect pet-positive companies with the vast audience of pet product and service consumers. The website is a multimedia platform where Levine offers stories, science and advice for living happier and healthier with pets. An industry insider for more than 25 years, Levine is uniquely positioned for creating a bridge between companies and consumers. She served as PR Director for the Tampa Bay SPCA for 15 years promoting adoption and education. In 2003, she launched the first pet-focused marketing agency, Fetching Communications, and later acquired PetPR.com, providing creative public relations, social media and marketing campaigns exclusively to pet and veterinary businesses throughout the world.

As a pet lifestyle expert, Levine has logged more than 1,000 live national radio and television show appearances, hosts pet-centric satellite media tours and has been a spokesperson for companies including Comcast, Bissell and HSN. She is presenting at the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) 2014 National Conference in November 2014, and has presented at Petfood Workshop: Marketing to Today’s Consumers, and the Women in the Pet Industry Network Conference & Awards Show. Her interest in the boomer audience includes writing a boomer-centric travel series for FIDO Friendly Magazine, along with presenting at the 2014 What’s Next Boomer Business Summit, Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit and AARP Life@50 Expo. Levine lives in Florida with her husband, dog, two cats and two miniature donkeys. Please visit www.kristenlevine.com.